The UK Catalysis Hub
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Chem Eng and Analytical Science
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Publications
Abdullah N
(2019)
Pd local structure and size correlations to the activity of Pd/TiO2 for photocatalytic reforming of methanol.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Abouelamaiem D
(2018)
Integration of supercapacitors into printed circuit boards
in Journal of Energy Storage
Almeida J
(2017)
Screening of mono- and bi-functional catalysts for the one-pot conversion of cellobiose into sorbitol
in Catalysis Today
Bouxin F
(2018)
Mechanistic Aspects of Hydrodeoxygenation of p -Methylguaiacol over Rh/Silica and Pt/Silica
in Organic Process Research & Development
Bowden B
(2018)
The deposition of metal nanoparticles on carbon surfaces: the role of specific functional groups
in Faraday Discussions
Browne M
(2018)
Determining the importance of the electrode support and fabrication method during the initial screening process of an active catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction
in Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Browne M
(2018)
Adams Method Prepared Metal Oxide Catalysts for Solar-Driven Water Splitting
in ChemPhotoChem
Cairns R
(2018)
Conversion of Aldoses to Valuable ?-Amino Alcohols Using Amine Transaminase Biocatalysts
in ACS Catalysis
Calderón Gómez J
(2019)
Electrochemical Behavior of Pt-Ru Catalysts Supported on Graphitized Ordered Mesoporous Carbons toward CO and Methanol Oxidation
in Surfaces
Callear SK
(2016)
The reaction of formic acid with RaneyTM copper.
in Proceedings. Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences
| Description | Catalysis is a core area of current science, engineering and technology that has substantial economic and societal impact, underpinning £50 billion of products annually in UK manufacturing industry. Although rooted in chemistry and chemical engineering, catalytic science is now strongly multidisciplinary drawing strongly from materials and bio-sciences. The aim of the Energy theme is to develop fundamental knowledge regarding energy supply and security which lies at the heart of concerns for society as a whole and this theme will address how catalysis can and will play a central role in this important topic. |
| Exploitation Route | The Energy theme of the Catalysis hub is accessing new methods for reforming processes, fuel cells using long chain alcohols derived from biobased sources, biofuels and life cycle assessment for the processes developed. These new catalytic processes will enable step changes in our ability to utilise biobased energy vectors in the future and make a reall assessment as to the environmental and economic impact of the new technology. |
| Sectors | Chemicals,Construction,Energy,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Transport |
| Description | The Catalysis Hub was founded with EPSRC funding in 2013 with three main aims: • To establish a world-leading, comprehensive and coordinated programme of catalytic science in the UK. • To develop new knowledge and promote innovation in and translation of catalytic science and technology. • To enable the UK to regain and retain a world leading position in catalysis. The Hub has fully achieved these objectives: it has coordinated and developed the UK Catalysis community; it has established strong and enduring interactions with UK industry; and it is now widely known and recognised internationally. Key to its success has been its inclusivity, its effective management structure (described in more detail in the Annex) and its physical hub, based in the Research Complex (RCaH) on the Harwell campus. Its network of forty-one university groups around the UK now includes the great majority of academic catalytic scientists, while its wide ranging scientific programme is increasingly integrating the different fields within catalytic science. Its physical centre at the Harwell campus has provided a focus for the community and has facilitated the application to catalytic science of the world-class neutron, synchrotron and laser facilities on the campus. Through its scientific programme and its wide ranging and vibrant programme of activities including conferences, specialised workshops and outreach activities, the Hub has energised a broad community of scientists and facilitated wide ranging collaboration through multidisciplinary and multi-institution projects.An example of the approach that the Hub science has delivered in the first phase has been the utilisation of non-thermal plasmas for the activation of water gas shift catalysis (C.E. Stere, et al. Angew. Chemie Int. Ed. (2017) 56, 5579). This study identified the role of the plasma in the reactions and facilitated an understanding of the possible reaction mechanisms involved as well as the impact of Joule heating. Importantly, the study involved a combination of theory and catalytic testing with the development of new in-situ characterisation techniques which could operate in the presence of the plasma. Therein, the activity over a Au/CeZrO4 catalyst at 25 °C was comparable with that attained by heating the catalyst to ~180 oC. Moreover, CO conversion observed (~70%) was much higher than that obtained at 100 oC (~20%) which was the catalyst temperature measured as a result of the Joule heating (Figure 1). This process, therefore, provides an opportunity for the hydrogen production to be obtained under conditions where the thermodynamic limitations are minimal. Using in-situ DRIFTS, structural changes associated with the gold nanoparticles in the catalyst were observed which were not found under thermal activation indicating a weakening of the Au-CO bond due to the plasma leading to an increased stability of the catalyst with time on stream. In addition, density functional theory calculations indicated that the activation of the water in the gas phase to form, for example H2Ox+ was a likely route to the high activities observed at low temperature. An example of the approach that the Hub science has delivered in the first phase has been the utilisation of non-thermal plasmas for the activation of water gas shift catalysis (C.E. Stere, et al. Angew. Chemie Int. Ed. (2017) 56, 5579). This study identified the role of the plasma in the reactions and facilitated an understanding of the possible reaction mechanisms involved as well as the impact of Joule heating. Importantly, the study involved a combination of theory and catalytic testing with the development of new in-situ characterisation techniques which could operate in the presence of the plasma. Therein, the activity over a Au/CeZrO4 catalyst at 25 °C was comparable with that attained by heating the catalyst to ~180 oC. Moreover, CO conversion observed (~70%) was much higher than that obtained at 100 oC (~20%) which was the catalyst temperature measured as a result of the Joule heating (Figure 1). This process, therefore, provides an opportunity for the hydrogen production to be obtained under conditions where the thermodynamic limitations are minimal. Using in-situ DRIFTS, structural changes associated with the gold nanoparticles in the catalyst were observed which were not found under thermal activation indicating a weakening of the Au-CO bond due to the plasma leading to an increased stability of the catalyst with time on stream. In addition, density functional theory calculations indicated that the activation of the water in the gas phase to form, for example H2Ox+ was a likely route to the high activities observed at low temperature. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
| Sector | Chemicals,Energy,Environment,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Transport |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | Johnson Matthey |
| Organisation | Johnson Matthey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | New methods to understand liquid phase heterogeneous catalysis. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Advice on systems to examine from an industrial perspective. |
| Impact | None to date |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | ICC conference 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Conference presentation |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Open Day, Harwell Campus, STFC and diamond, |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | the site-wide Harwell Open day had a Catalysis Marquee whihc was visisted by 1500 people |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | UKCC |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Organisation of the UK Catalysis Conference |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017 |